Maine officials: Leave wildlife alone

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine wildlife officials are reminding people to follow this motto when encountering wildlife, especially young animals: If you care, leave them there.

As the weather continues to get warmer and more people go outdoors, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says it isn't unusual for people to come across baby fawns, moose calves, robins, raccoons and other young wildlife in woodlands or in their backyards. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea for people to intervene.

But officials say taking in animals with the belief they've been abandoned is a bad idea.

Young animals are put at more risk.

Deer sometimes leave their fawns hidden in the leaves on the forest floor if they're too young to come along to forage for food.